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Increasing Your Health and Happiness at Home, One Tail at a Time

No one said it better than George Eliot: “Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” (Eliot is also known as Mary Anne Evans, author of the 1857 short story “Mr. Gilfil’s Love Story.”) Pets are such an ideal source of unconditional love! They will always be happy to see us and we can count on an enthusiastic hello to brighten the day. We may often find ourselves rushing into the office for a morning meeting—we should be just as diligent about dashing home to be greeted by a pet in the evening! Here’s how our furry friends can help increase health and happiness at home.

Pets encourage a brighter outlook
You can certainly see the wonderful reaction in a young child’s face when Fido comes running to greet him or when Fluffy starts to purr in her presence. Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, you can feel tension ease within a couple minutes of being around a pet. Some studies show that this can help us feel less anxious and actually result in physical changes that make a difference in mood.1 Some scientists think this is what brings about a more pronounced sense of well-being.2

Pets represent affection, and a connection with them can benefit anyone. Your dog or cat will lend an ear any time you want to talk. Interacting with a pet during walks, brushing, or trying out a new toy can actually help give you positive perspective; you could even notice that you feel better about how you spend your time.2

Take feeling better to heart
In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, pets can help improve heart health. Did you know that some studies have shown that pet owners have better survival rates following certain kinds of heart conditions3? Also, one study showed that people with a history of cat ownership were less likely to die of a heart attack than those who had never owned a cat3!

Unleash a new enthusiasm for exercise
You and your pet could both benefit from blowing off steam after a long day! Pets need exercise too, especially if they’ve been inside or cooped up for much of the day.4 It’s a fine starting point to walk together, play fetch, or bring out an interactive toy. Together you and your pet could help improve your health and then gradually increase your activities. Consult with your doctor and veterinarian for recommendations—then unleash your new enthusiasm for exercise together! Exercise will increase blood flow throughout your body, which could also encourage more radiant skin. You could consider time with your furry friend part of your daily beauty routine!

With these healthy benefits, you’ll probably find new appreciation for your dog or cat. You may even see a new side of your pet as you discover fun activities to try together. Fortunately, you can still get out and enjoy the last dog days of summer before the cooler weather sets in!

®/TMs are trademarks of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. or its affiliates. All other product or brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. Distributed by Obagi Medical Products, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC.

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Obagi Systems and Products are physician-dispensed and should be used only under the guidance of your skin care physician. Please be advised that certain products have limited distribution and may not be available in your area. Please contact your Obagi skin care physician for more information.

Important Safety Information for Obagi Nu-Derm Clear and Blender®

(contains 4% hydroquinone)

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
People with prior history of sensitivity or allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients should not use it. The safety of topical hydroquinone use during pregnancy or in children (12 years and under) has not been established.

WARNINGS:
Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, or lips. In case of accidental contact, patient should rinse eyes, nose, mouth, or lips with water and contact physician.

Sunscreen use is an essential aspect of hydroquinone therapy because even minimal sunlight exposure sustains melanocytic activity.

Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.

PRECAUTIONS (ALSO SEE WARNINGS):
Treatment should be limited to relatively small areas of the body at one time since some patients experience a transient skin reddening and a mild burning sensation, which does not preclude treatment.

Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical hydroquinone. It is also not known whether hydroquinone can cause fetal harm when used topically on a pregnant woman or affect reproductive capacity. It is not known to what degree, if any, topical hydroquinone is absorbed systemically. Topical hydroquinone should be used on pregnant women only when clearly indicated.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether topical hydroquinone is absorbed or excreted in human milk. Caution is advised when topical hydroquinone is used by a nursing mother.

Pediatric Usage: Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 12 years have not been established.

Use of the product should be discontinued if hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients is noted.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
People with prior history of sensitivity or allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients should not use it. The safety of topical hydroquinone use during pregnancy or in children (12 years and under) has not been established.

WARNINGS:
Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, or lips. In case of accidental contact, patient should rinse eyes, nose, mouth, or lips with water and contact physician.

Sunscreen use is an essential aspect of hydroquinone therapy because even minimal sunlight exposure sustains melanocytic activity.

Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.

PRECAUTIONS (ALSO SEE WARNINGS):
Treatment should be limited to relatively small areas of the body at one time since some patients experience a transient skin reddening and a mild burning sensation, which does not preclude treatment.

Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical hydroquinone. It is also not known whether hydroquinone can cause fetal harm when used topically on a pregnant woman or affect reproductive capacity. It is not known to what degree, if any, topical hydroquinone is absorbed systemically. Topical hydroquinone should be used on pregnant women only when clearly indicated.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether topical hydroquinone is absorbed or excreted in human milk. Caution is advised when topical hydroquinone is used by a nursing mother.

Pediatric Usage: Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 12 years have not been established.

Use of the product should be discontinued if hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients is noted.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
People with prior history of sensitivity or allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients should not use it. The safety of topical hydroquinone use during pregnancy or in children (12 years and under) has not been established.

WARNINGS:
Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, or lips. In case of accidental contact, patient should rinse eyes, nose, mouth, or lips with water and contact physician.

Sunscreen use is an essential aspect of hydroquinone therapy because even minimal sunlight exposure sustains melanocytic activity.

Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.

PRECAUTIONS (ALSO SEE WARNINGS):
Treatment should be limited to relatively small areas of the body at one time since some patients experience a transient skin reddening and a mild burning sensation, which does not preclude treatment.

Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical hydroquinone. It is also not known whether hydroquinone can cause fetal harm when used topically on a pregnant woman or affect reproductive capacity. It is not known to what degree, if any, topical hydroquinone is absorbed systemically. Topical hydroquinone should be used on pregnant women only when clearly indicated.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether topical hydroquinone is absorbed or excreted in human milk. Caution is advised when topical hydroquinone is used by a nursing mother.

Pediatric Usage: Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 12 years have not been established.

Use of the product should be discontinued if hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients is noted.